Aeroplane or aircraft?

[simongr]

Just wondering - a have seen some very pointed comments here that it is an aircraft rather than an aeroplane - but on board one of the flying tubes teh cabin crew, pilots and saftey videos all referred to aeroplanes - so which is correct Aircraft or Aeroplane and why do some people so pointedly refer to them as aircraft?

 

[straitman]

Just wondering - a have seen some very pointed comments here that it is an aircraft rather than an aeroplane - but on board one of the flying tubes teh cabin crew, pilots and saftey videos all referred to aeroplanes - so which is correct Aircraft or Aeroplane and why do some people so pointedly refer to them as aircraft?

simongr,

Aircraft is a term that refers to all types of flying machine such as airships, helicopters, gyrocopters or aeroplanes.

The terms above are specific and define each type of aircraft. Having said that, when there is understanding of what type you are refering to, it is then normal to use the term aircraft.

When you look at regulations such as The Civil Aviation Act, Civil Aviation Orders or the Civil Aviation Regulations they talk aircraft for generic descriptions then aeroplane, helicopter etc to be specific.

I hope that helps.

 

[simongr]

Thanks - probably a little more precise an answer than I was expecting in the playground

Strange that with my father having been in the RAF and having lived on Air Force bases (of all sorts), having flown Bulldogs and gliders this question never came up - we always just used to refer to them as the actual type of aircraft....

 

[albatross710]

Like all industries there is a precise efficient language that makes it easier for those involved. Having spent some time in the RAAF I knew it was time to get out when one day I had to "refuel my civilian vehicle" instead of "go to the servo".

 

[coco50]

I prefer aircraft. Definitely not the american "airplane"!

 

[JohnK]

Haven't you written your trip report yet?

I prefer aircraft but I have noticed "plane" used a lot on AFF!

 

[simongr]

Still finalising my notes - such a short trip is diffcult to wrote about...